Maquenque Eco Lodge

Located on the edge of lowland rainforest close to the Nicaraguan border it is comprised of a main, open-plan reception, dining and bar area looking out across the seasonal ponds to the forest beyond. However, to reach here on arrival you have to cross the San Carlos River by boat and walk through wonderful tropical gardens where agoutis and other wildlife come out in the afternoons.

Close to the lagoon and dotted beside the ponds are a number of individual chalets all quite spacious and comfortably furnished and with their own private verandah.

Beyond in the rainforest are some hidden gems; treehouses, constructed around 17m above the forest floor and part-way to the canopy. Each is reached by a series of steps and on arrival at the top you have an outside sitting area and an open, screened bedroom from which you can have a completely immersive experience listening to the sounds of the night and perhaps early morning wake up calls from a local troupe of howler monkeys. These elevated rooms have the luxury of an en suite, having inside as well as outside showers.

The lodge has a number of trails you can walk by yourself but activities include locally guided walks, night hikes, paddling on the lagoon and boat trips to a nearby village there is plenty to do here.

Wildlife abounds too and besides large mammals that are present in the forest almost 600 birds species have been recorded. Certainly one of our favourite destinations in Costa Rica.